SINÉAD O'CONNOR 
Faith And Courage (Atlantic)
Rating: 4 out of 7
By Rob O'Connor

   If you're considering a career in the music business, do NOT worry about traits such as 'faith' and 'courage'--worry about getting your albums released while people still remember who you are. Just like Don Henley and Bruce Springsteen (both of whom speak of faith and courage in their own right), Sinéad takes years to make one album, and when it finally shows up, you can't blame people for being a little underwhelmed. Sure, it's nice, but this took HOW LONG? 
    Thankfully, she hasn't ruined her voice, and it's still the emotive vehicle that most effectively complimented Peter Gabriel on his 1992 album US (these slowpokes stick together, eh?). She's settled into an MOR groove that works for her introspective approach ("Jealous"). The trip-hop beats are mostly a producer's trick, meant to signify that she hasn't lost "touch" with the current music scene. But she could signify that herself just by making albums in a more timely manner.  


All recordings courtesy of Atlantic Records. "No Man’s Woman" written by S. O'Connor, S. Cutler, A. Preven; courtesy of Warner-Chappell Music, LTD./Scott Cutler Music/Famous Music (ASCAP)/Weetie-Pie Music/Ensign Music (BMI). "The Healing Room" written by S. O’Connor; courtesy of Warner-Chappell Music, LTD. "Daddy I’m Fine" written by S. O’Connor, D. Stewart; courtesy of Warner-Chappell Music, LTD./BMG Music Publishing, LTD.